Revealed: the day Britain turns into a hibernation nation

Britons spend as little as an hour outside a day during the autumn and winter months, with 23 October revealed as the day UK employees begin to ‘hibernate’

Majority of UK employees acknowledge a lack of time outdoors in the cooler months negatively affects their physical and mental wellbeing, reducing concentration and productivity at work

This Cycle To Work Day, cycling legend Chris Boardman encourages everyone to try a two-wheeled commute to ease the transition into winter and help avoid the hibernation blues

The date 23 October marks the day most Brits will begin ‘hibernating’, becoming lazier and less active and spending less time outdoors, according to new research released today (14 September) on the fourth annual Cycle To Work Day.

The research by Cyclescheme, organiser of the national event, and Halfords, lead sponsor of the event, finds this is putting UK employees’ physical and mental wellbeing at risk, as workers spend on average just an hour a day outdoors during autumn and winter.

It seems there is a tendency amongst UK employees to ‘daylight dodge’ during the cooler months; the British workforce spends up to 50 per cent more time outdoors in summer. UK employees spend just 66 minutes a day outside, dropping to 30 minutes or less for over a third of people (34 per cent), during autumn and winter. Many employees will adjust their commute (39 per cent) or skip lunchbreaks (28 per cent) to avoid being outside, despite understanding the negative affect this can have on their health and work performance.

The change in seasonal behaviour causes almost seven in ten UK employees to say a lack of outdoor time badly affects their health (67 per cent) and moods (68 per cent), resulting in seasonal weight gain (56 per cent) and increased stress levels (55 per cent).

With 68 per cent of UK employees wanting to ‘hibernate’ through the cooler months, Olympic cycling champion Chris Boardman is encouraging commuters to banish those hibernation blues by staying active, and spending as much time outdoors as possible.

Chris said: “It’s not surprising that we spend as little as an hour outdoors during the cooler months, choosing to stay warm in the office as the winter winds blows away our motivation to get out. But winter is also the season that brings us most opportunities for overindulgence so it’s definitely worth the effort to keep active through the colder months!”

“The trick is to work it into your daily routine, walking and riding to work for example is an ideal way to keep body and mind in great shape. September and October are the best month to get yourself and your bike ready; with good water proofs and mudguards, it’s easy to enjoy a British winter on two wheels, so when everyone else goes into hibernation, you can feel good throughout the party season!”

Stephen Holt, Commercial Director at Cyclescheme.co.uk, said: “We know an active commute can have many benefits for employees from weight loss, increased energy and mood levels to better performance at work, but it can also help people get some much needed time outdoors, particularly in the cooler months when hiding indoors is so appealing!

“Tens of thousands of commuters are expected to take part in the fourth annual Cycle to Work Day on 14 September, and we’re hoping the majority will fall in love with the benefits of pedal power and become regulars!”

Cycle to Work Day was established by Cyclescheme in 2013 to encourage cyclists of all abilities to give cycle commuting a try. This year, Halfords is partnering with Cyclescheme to promote the annual event and get more people into cycling regularly through their everyday commute.